UN: Drones claim Sudanese lives and the bombing of Al Daein Hospital constitutes a War Crime
Recently, the United Nations warned of a dangerous escalation in the use of drones in Sudan, noting that more than (500 civilians) have been killed in airstrikes since the beginning of the year, the majority of which targeted three states in the region of Kordofan.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterrescondemned the killing of at least (60 people), including children and health workers, in a drone strike that targeted Ad-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur.
Furthermore, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented more than (200 attacks) on health facilities in Sudan since the ongoing conflict broke out, resulting in the deaths of more than (2,000 people).
For his part, Guterres called on all parties to comply with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law, which protects health workers and medical facilities as well as prohibits attacks against civilians and civilian objects. He urged an immediate de-escalation of the fighting and a return to negotiations in an effort to achieve a permanent ceasefire.
Marta Hurtado, the spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that more than (277 civilians) had been killed in just two weeks, the majority of whom were victims of drone strikes, warning that the continued targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure “may amount to war crimes.”
She added that Ad-Daein Hospital was completely out of service after at least (64 people) were killed in an attack on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, including 13 children and a doctor, in addition, eight medical staff members were injured in the attack.
